Cove Point plan deserves greater scrutiny [Letter]

Thank you for advocating for the application of an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed liquefied natural gas export facility at Cove Point ("Cove Point deserves closer examination," Dec. 2). Yes, that is the least we should do. However, I want to point out that we need to think beyond the Environmental Impact Statement.

Let me explain. With the present Dominion Resources' proposal to pipe, liquefy and transport natural gas to Asian countries from Cove Point, not only will Maryland's air quality be affected with the expected leakage in natural gas from the pipes (fugitive emissions are inevitable) and the use of fossil fuel to liquefy and transport the natural gas, but the pathway for our state and nation in what road we chose to take will be decided. If we build a $3.8 billion facility in Maryland to liquefy and transport gas from hydraulic fracking from Pennsylvania, we will have more pressure to frack in Maryland — somewhat like the pressure to drive on the roads that are built near you.

Fracking and exporting the gas from fracking can seem like a good thing because it means economic growth and jobs. But we can also have economic growth building wind turbines, installing them and using them to generate electricity. If we build the liquefied natural gas export terminal, we only encourage more fossil fuel use around the world by exporting our cheap natural gas to Asia (which will increase our own domestic gas prices due to higher demands for the same gas). If we choose to lead in building wind turbines and using them to generate electricity and slowly wean ourselves off from coal-fired power plants, we can lead the nation and the world in more sustainable choices.

The choice to build the liquefied natural gas export terminal at Cove Point needs to be closely examined for the future of Maryland, the U.S. and the world.

Reginald V. Truitt was a zoologist at the University of Maryland and a pioneer in scientific studies to better understand and protect the precious resources of the Chesapeake Bay. In 1925, Truitt founded the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomons, which became the foundation for what is now...

Last week there was a gas leak on Solomon's Island. The authorities didn't shut down the island and evacuate residents because it was believed driving by the leak could be more harmful that staying put.

I was surprised to see in Tim Wheeler's report on the latest Cove Point permit ("State gives gas export facility go-ahead," July 23) that Gov. Martin O'Malley has decided that fracked gas is a bridge fuel and that fracking can be done safely if the government sets the "highest and best" standards....

After years of hearing that the U.S. is too dependent on foreign oil, and that our reliance on fossil fuels is ultimately unsustainable anyway, why are we now developing ways to export natural gas ("A key win for LNG facility," July 24)?

In its permit ruling last month, the Maryland Public Service Commission stated that the proposed Cove Point liquefied natural gas refinery is not in the public interest and would be a net economic negative for the state. That should have been the end of the discussion and the project should have...

Rep. John Delaney's commentary ("Natural gas is the right choice for the U.S.," April 2) speaks for the energy and job needs of Canada, Crimea, Europe, Russia, Ukraine the Midwestern United States and southern Maryland. Unmentioned in this geopolitical academic exercise are the energy and job needs...

Thank you for covering the controversy regarding the proposed Dominion liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility at Cove Point ("Calvert County Cove Point opponents, supporters flood state with comments," April 3).